Engineering at Bathurst

Solving society’s issues, for real

Students on the Charles Sturt University Engineering program combine study with paid placements as cadet engineers.

Although only in its second year, the Charles Sturt University (CSU) Engineering program has already been hailed as one of the most exciting developments in engineering education in Australia.

Foundation Professor of Engineering Euan Lindsay (pictured right) says the innovative program is partly a product of being in the business faculty – which meant the importance of creating a unique offering was well understood.

And with four engineering education PhD academics on staff, it is also a result of coming up with the best way to teach students practical skills.

The CSU program offers a Masters qualification after five and a half years. An initial 18 months of study at the CSU’s state-of-the-art facility in Bathurst, NSW, is followed by four year-long paid placements as cadet engineers.

During their placements, students compile and present portfolios of the work they have done and the real-world engineering problems they have solved.

The program, which focuses on producing engineers as entrepreneurs and ‘change agents’, was one of four in the world chosen by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology for a benchmarking study as it revises its engineering offerings.

“If you want to be the kind of engineer who defines society’s problems and contributes to society, then this degree is for you,” Euan says.

– Penny Pryor

TO GET THERE: HSC or equivalent >> Bachelor of Technology/Masters of Engineering at CSU>> Engineer entrepreneur in civil, geotechnical, structural or water resources engineering